PULSATING WHEN BRAKING

Strange issues with my 2020 Tundra. I have about 45K miles on it so far. Was getting some pulsating when braking a couple of weeks ago and figured it was warped rotors as it is a well known Tundra issue.

Replaced front rotors...then front pads....then rear rotors and pads. The issue is still happening. It's like if you oiled one spot on the rotors it feels like it is catching. At high speeds the truck vibrates pretty good and can feel it softer at slower speeds.

These rotors and pads are NAPA Adaptive One brand which is one of the best NAPA has to offer.

The wheel vibrates back and forth from side to side and I can feel the pulsating in the pedal as well as the whole truck.

Can't figure out what it is so I figured I'd ask here.

 

No expert here, but I had something similar once and turned out to be a bubble in a tire. Can jack up each corner and spin it to see if it looks wonky anywhere.

 

Alignment check, but before that reinstall each wheel and torque them to spec.
These trucks are prone to acting funny if unevenly tightened.

 

Was it just while braking?

 

I’m going somewhere Monday, just can’t decide where. Will get an alignment.

 

"At high speeds the truck vibrates pretty good and can feel it softer at slower speeds."

It was way more pronounced during braking but was always present. The part in quotes above read to me that it was also always present for you. Also it was an old silverado, not my tundra.

 

I am sorry, my mistake. It only happens when braking. Truck rides just fine otherwise. Thinking it may be a bad ABS sensor….

 

No need for apologies, simple misunderstanding. Hope you get it sorted out.

 

Damaged hubs?
https://youtu.be/mW3Uqqi61BM?si=Uku6hRaeyPhRKs0X

I just ordered this to check why my brakes keep vibrating.

$37 KHCRAFT Professional Dial Indicator Magnetic Base: Dial Indicator 0-1"x0.001" Steel Hardened, Magnetic Base 130lb Fine Adjusted, Indicator Points Set 22-Piece in Blow Mould Case

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BXC2DH9

 

Did you bleed (if necessary) and bed the pads properly?

 

Interesting. I have a dial indicator set in my tool box. Used to use it for timing small engines

 

So I did not bleed but I did bed the pads in properly. Going 55mph then slowing to 10mph around 6 times.

 

Usually if the steering wheel wobbles and pedal pulsates then it's the front, if it's felt in the seat, surging and pedal its the rears..

 

Could be wheel balance issues as well, or alignment out.

 

I will be watching this thread. I have battled this since I got my 2015 Tundra. It has a full set of new NAPA premium pads and rotors, a brand new set of Michelin LTX M/S2, and a fresh 4-wheel alignment. Extremely frustrating.

Interesting, thank you for posting. I am going to have my mechanic check this for me. I will report back.

 

In your case, check for a bent wheel, bad tire, bad hub....

 

I’ll be watching this thread, hopefully it gets resolved. Keep us updated

 

I can't believe it but....it just felt like warped rotors so I told myself, I'll just try one more set of rotors and pads. Just finished putting them on and the problem is RESOLVED!

Hard to believe that my first set of rotors purchased in may of 2023 were warped, then the new rotors and pads I bought to replace those were warped, and now this new set is fine.

But I am thankful it is finally resolved and it is not something more serious.

 

Did the old rotors and pads cause the problem from the beginning or was it fine at first?

 

So the old rotors and pads were installed May of 2023. I guess the rotors eventually warped because I noticed the steering wheel shake and pedal pulsation a couple of weeks ago. When installed initially they were fine. So I am guessing over time, the rotors became warped.

 

Are the tire edges cupped on front? If so, its a common thing when out of alignment (toe usually) and you'll need an alignment, but that wont fix unless you replace font tires as cupping never goes away.

 

Don’t overlook the lug nut torque. Over torquing will also cause vibrations

 

I had this issue in my old Durango, but it was never prevalent enough to warrant getting fixed. Then I sold it to a coworker and they were going to fix it (and totaled the vehicle some time later as a result of that wheel bearing failing).

 

Glad you got it resolved. I had similar issues and thought to replace the front pads and rotors as most times this is the fix. But in mine, as yours, it wasn't. After replacing the rear brakes, the problem was resolved.

 

Similar story here. Was told the truck had new pads and rotors when I bought it. The dial indicator said rotors were already warped and that the hubs were fine. I put my other truck’s rotors on and it’s good to go.

 

I've had issues with NAPA Adaptive One's on my Tundra.

Replaced my original with NAPA rotors and pads. Bed them in right away. Less than 10k miles the pulsing was back. Slapped on some Bosch's and no issues so far. I've always used Bosch but this time I went to NAPA and didn't work so great.

 

I have a friend that has a small repair shop and he stopped using Napa rotors as he was getting a lot coming back warped. I just bought OEM rotors and pads for the rear of my truck. Did the front last spring with OEM pads and rotors with no problems.

 

I had this issue shortly after having a nail repair done on front tire.
Tire shop used an impact to put tire back on, almost could not brake lugs loose with 24 inch torque wrench.
Re-torque to 100 lbf seems to have corrected mine, hopefully no damage was done to the wheel?

 

UPDATE:

Shop said my hubs are all in-spec, front rotors (NAPA "Premium") were out. They offered to upgrade me to Fleet Rotors & installed yesterday. I have a 15mi drive home on a highway, so drove home using the 60mph-30mph bedding procedure & they felt good. Only other trip was to church & I drove normally.

This morning on my way in, the first time I pressed the brakes I felt the shudder. I am so frustrated with this issue that I am about to drive the truck into a telephone pole. I have been battling it for the better part of a year.

Could somebody please post or link the exact procedure for torquing the lug nuts in your driveway? Please explain like you're explaining it to a person who has never picked up a wrench. Last time I tried it I rounded two lug nuts and spent the rest of the evening with a lug nut extractor. I do not want to repeat it.

Thanks in advance...

 

OK, lets talk variables. My 2019 CM with 77k miles brakes smooth and easy. I have factory wheels that I torque myself. I have factory brakes that I've flushed the brake fluid once and removed the calipers and greased the pins once. Are you running anything aftermarket besides the NAPA brakes?